RADIATION DOSE TO GONADS FROM DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EXPOSURE

Abstract

The doses of x-ray received by employees of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory were investigated for the purpose of estimating the total exposure to ionizing radiation received both within and outside the medical facilities of the ORNL. A manikin was constructed to permit measurement of the radiation received by skin and gonads during examinations of the chest, knee, abdomen, pelvis, and vertebral column. The frequency of the various types of examination was also studied. The average total gonadal dose per year was 0.013 rads for males and 0.035 rads for females. Although only 5% of the total male examinations were of the abdominal area, they contributed 81 % of the total male gonad dose. Minimizing the number of abdominal examinations is most important, particularly in children, but minimizing the gonad dose during each examination should not be overlooked. Three simple steps are emphasized: use a cone or diaphragm of minimum practicable size to reduce the dose to all areas outside the field of interest, use filtration at the source to reduce the amount of soft, scattered radiation, and use the highest kilovoltage and lowest milliamperage technique which is practicable. Personal diagnostic radiation exposure records as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences may possibly be kept by expanding the system of occupational exposure records now maintained in most industrial medical departments.